Counties with the most veterans in Virginia
There are roughly 17.5 million veterans living in the U.S., according to data from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Though, the VA anticipates the percentage of the U.S. population with military experience will continue to decline over the next couple of decades—by 2046, it expects the number of living U.S. veterans to decrease by 35%.
Stacker compiled a list of the counties with the most veterans in Virginia using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Counties are ranked by the highest percent of residents that are veterans based on the Census' 2023 5-year estimate.
Alaska, Virginia, and Wyoming are home to the most veterans per capita. American veterans live in virtually all of the country's 3,142 counties.
Keep reading to see where the most veterans live in your home state.
#50. Nelson County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.4% (1,142 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 14
--- Vietnam War: 513
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 221
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 271
#49. Rappahannock County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.4% (573 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 0
--- Vietnam War: 351
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 132
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 107
#48. Powhatan County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.5% (2,413 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 29
--- Vietnam War: 1,006
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 586
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 557
#47. Petersburg city
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.5% (2,388 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 28
--- Korean War: 86
--- Vietnam War: 596
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 759
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 701
#46. Northampton County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.6% (941 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 100
--- Vietnam War: 271
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 173
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 152
#45. Clarke County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.7% (1,177 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 6
--- Korean War: 48
--- Vietnam War: 414
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 274
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 249
#44. Culpeper County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.7% (3,889 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 208
--- Korean War: 142
--- Vietnam War: 1,388
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,189
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 1,002
#43. Cumberland County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.7% (761 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 56
--- Vietnam War: 207
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 140
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 238
#42. Hopewell city
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.7% (1,634 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 10
--- Vietnam War: 497
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 602
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 442
#41. Shenandoah County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.8% (3,420 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 67
--- Korean War: 204
--- Vietnam War: 1,586
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 824
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 662
#40. Franklin city
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 9.8% (589 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 22
--- Vietnam War: 109
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 177
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 203
#39. Dinwiddie County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10% (2,234 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 57
--- Vietnam War: 881
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 638
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 555
#38. Greene County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10% (1,589 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 13
--- Korean War: 21
--- Vietnam War: 550
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 452
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 530
#37. Appomattox County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.1% (1,296 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 2
--- Korean War: 87
--- Vietnam War: 436
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 255
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 210
#36. Fauquier County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.1% (5,691 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 51
--- Korean War: 196
--- Vietnam War: 1,531
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,216
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 2,139
#35. Charles City County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.2% (581 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 9
--- Vietnam War: 235
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 60
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 97
#34. Northumberland County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.3% (1,050 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 82
--- Vietnam War: 633
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 197
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 159
#33. Amelia County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.4% (1,098 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 133
--- Vietnam War: 487
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 153
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 196
#32. Orange County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.4% (3,041 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 3
--- Korean War: 155
--- Vietnam War: 702
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 903
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 1,189
#31. Louisa County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.5% (3,259 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 22
--- Korean War: 48
--- Vietnam War: 1,109
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 955
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 734
#30. Bath County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.7% (364 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 37
--- Vietnam War: 141
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 146
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 44
#29. Mathews County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.7% (772 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 25
--- Vietnam War: 312
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 159
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 96
#28. New Kent County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.7% (2,057 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 51
--- Vietnam War: 557
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 670
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 575
#27. Fredericksburg city
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 10.9% (2,422 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 60
--- Vietnam War: 477
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,066
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 1,068
#26. Lancaster County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 11.2% (1,034 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 57
--- Korean War: 107
--- Vietnam War: 491
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 217
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 152
#25. Middlesex County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 11.4% (1,031 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 134
--- Vietnam War: 361
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 233
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 154
#24. King William County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 11.7% (1,650 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 13
--- Korean War: 79
--- Vietnam War: 355
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 575
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 602
#23. Prince William County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 11.7% (40,960 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 169
--- Korean War: 894
--- Vietnam War: 8,278
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 19,061
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 18,891
#22. Southampton County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 11.8% (1,701 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 46
--- Vietnam War: 530
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 611
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 496
#21. Prince George County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 12.2% (3,633 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 19
--- Korean War: 114
--- Vietnam War: 994
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,257
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 1,415
#20. Westmoreland County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 12.2% (1,836 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 37
--- Korean War: 73
--- Vietnam War: 531
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 691
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 344
#19. Portsmouth city
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 12.2% (8,612 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 71
--- Korean War: 282
--- Vietnam War: 2,059
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,968
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 3,506
#18. Sussex County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 12.4% (1,125 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 7
--- Korean War: 7
--- Vietnam War: 275
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 469
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 389
#17. Caroline County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 12.9% (3,042 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 83
--- Vietnam War: 954
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,062
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 860
#16. Spotsylvania County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 13.2% (14,245 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 92
--- Korean War: 245
--- Vietnam War: 3,093
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 6,424
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 5,716
#15. Newport News city
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 13.2% (17,591 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 140
--- Korean War: 310
--- Vietnam War: 4,148
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 5,899
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 7,034
#14. Gloucester County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 13.4% (4,146 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 25
--- Korean War: 239
--- Vietnam War: 1,246
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,819
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 1,181
#13. Colonial Heights city
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 13.5% (1,858 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 19
--- Korean War: 56
--- Vietnam War: 565
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 527
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 616
#12. Norfolk city
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 14.3% (23,269 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 94
--- Korean War: 417
--- Vietnam War: 4,971
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 8,061
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 11,313
#11. Chesapeake city
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 14.5% (26,427 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 152
--- Korean War: 400
--- Vietnam War: 5,774
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 12,214
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 13,215
#10. King George County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 14.6% (2,960 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 25
--- Vietnam War: 581
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 1,373
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 1,482
#9. James City County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 14.7% (9,256 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 109
--- Korean War: 591
--- Vietnam War: 2,910
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 3,444
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 3,064
#8. Poquoson city
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 15.9% (1,512 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 0
--- Korean War: 41
--- Vietnam War: 552
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 608
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 517
#7. Suffolk city
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 15.9% (11,283 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 6
--- Korean War: 113
--- Vietnam War: 2,290
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 4,904
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 5,328
#6. Virginia Beach city
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 16% (53,555 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 342
--- Korean War: 1,328
--- Vietnam War: 13,255
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 24,445
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 23,657
#5. Isle of Wight County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 16.2% (4,926 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 16
--- Korean War: 97
--- Vietnam War: 1,200
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 2,189
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 1,867
#4. Surry County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 16.5% (899 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 2
--- Korean War: 8
--- Vietnam War: 286
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 328
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 264
#3. Hampton city
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 17.4% (17,625 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 65
--- Korean War: 330
--- Vietnam War: 3,647
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 6,237
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 8,093
#2. Stafford County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 17.5% (20,046 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 55
--- Korean War: 287
--- Vietnam War: 2,675
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 10,958
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 11,127
#1. York County
- Percent of residents that are veterans: 18.5% (9,116 veterans)
- Veterans by war:
--- World War II: 37
--- Korean War: 270
--- Vietnam War: 2,116
--- Gulf War (08/1990 to 08/2001): 4,827
--- Gulf War (09/2001 or later): 4,394
